Event Information

Date and Time

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Description

Freeport Wild Bird Supply and The Maine Brew Bus are excited to collaborate on ten great outings for 2017 in our popular and growing “Birds on Tap - Roadtrip! series. The unique, relaxed birding and beer-ing adventures that you have come to love combine great local birding at seasonal hotspots with visits to sample the delicious creations of some of our favorite local breweries. These tours are a perfect introduction to birding and/or craft beer, and a great opportunity to travel with significant others, friends, and family that have interest in one topic, while your interest is primarily in the other (for now!). Seasonal birding hotspots and great local beer - a perfect combination, and we'll even do all of the driving!

This tour will focus on the impressive springtime concentrations of waterfowl that stage on Merrymeeting Bay. Awaiting the opening of ponds and lakes further north, large number of Green-winged Teal, American Black Ducks, Ring-necked Ducks, and Common Mergansers build in the bay. Among the regulars, less common species such as American Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Blue-winged Teal, and Northern Shoveler are often found, along with rarities including Eurasian Wigeon. Visits to a few of the hotspots will seek the densest concentrations of ducks, and in doing so, we may see a dozen or more Bald Eagles. When conditions align, the concentration of ducks and the predators that seek them is one of the true spring birding spectacles in Maine.

After about 3 hours of birding, we will be transported to two of our great local breweries to sample their offerings and learn their styles.

Our first stop is Oxbow Brewing Company. Founded in 2011, Oxbow is an American farmhouse brewery specializing in traditional Belgian-style ales with contemporary American influence. They brew small batches of beer exclusively in a renovated barn in rural Newcastle, Maine. Their destination is truly special, with the properties of the well water as well as fruits from their orchards playing an important role in their various beers.

The second stop is Split Rock Distilling in Newcastle. In a well-used gambrel-roof barn on Route 1 in Newcastle, Maine’s first organic distiller opened in July of 2016. Topher Mallory and Matt Page, who bonded over a love of rock climbing, knew the 50-year-old barn would be an ideal distillery. The company’s name, chosen for the dirt road the founders travel between their homes (a well-known shortcut), is testament to the local aspect of their operation. Split Rock makes several kinds of vodka and whiskey at the distillery. Ask for the horseradish vodka, a popular favorite that is made by steeping grated horseradish in finished vodka for a few days.

To get an idea about what’s in store - both in the birding and beverage departments - check out the 2016 trip report:

The samples are included in the tour price, and The Maine Brew Bus will supply a light snack (a delicious vegetarian hand-pie) and water. Bring binoculars and a spotting scope if you have one. We also recommend bringing a lunch or additional snack if you so desire. A warm layer is highly recommended, as the shore of the bay can be quite chilly at this time of year.

We'll be doing all of the driving, so you can relax. And to make it even easier, we have two pick-up times and locations:

10:00 am

Marginal Way Park & Ride

(Opposite the intersection with Diamond St, just east of Franklin Ave), Portland.

or 10:20am

Freeport Wild Bird Supply

541 Route One, Freeport.

(Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your departure time at either location, and please let us know where you will be meeting us)

We'll return to these locations to drop you off at 4:10 pm (Freeport) and 4:30pm (Portland).

This tour is limited to 13 participants, so sign up soon! This is a one-of-a-kind tour, and we think one you won't want to miss!

For more information about The Maine Brew bus, including all of their other great, non-birding tours, visit them at: